Good friendships are relationships that are built on mutual trust, respect, and support. They are characterised by a sense of companionship, loyalty, and understanding between two or more people.
According to Better Help, sometimes friendships might last for life. Other times, friendships can be situational, lasting only through certain points or places in our lives. No matter what dynamic you are a part of, it can be important to avoid the little things that could hurt your friendship.
There are however a few things that can ruin good friendships, including:
Lack of communication
Good communication is key to any successful relationship, and friendships are no exception. If you don’t make an effort to stay in touch with your friend or if you don’t express your feelings and concerns, it can lead to misunderstandings and hurt feelings.
Breaking promises
If you consistently make promises to your friend and fail to follow through, it can damage the trust in your friendship. Your friend may start to doubt your reliability and feel let down by your actions. For example, if you make plans to see and go on a date with your friend, make sure you follow through with those plans or communicate well in time if you won’t be able to make it.
Gossiping
Sharing your friend’s personal information or talking behind their back can break their trust and damage your friendship. It’s important to respect your friend’s privacy and keep their secrets safe. Even if you happen to be in a room where they might be speaking ill about your friend, ensure you protect them in their absence instead of contributing to the conversation.
Being competitive
If you constantly compete with your friend or turn everything into a competition, it can create tension and resentment. It’s important to celebrate each other’s successes and support each other through challenges.
Ignoring boundaries
Everyone has their own boundaries, and it’s important to respect them. If you consistently ignore your friend’s boundaries or push them to do things they’re not comfortable with, it can damage the trust and respect in your friendship.
Also see: How to get over people pleasing
